Adoration of the Shepherds 1480

Carlo Crivelli's "Adoration of the Shepherds" (c. 1480) depicts the traditional Christian scene of the shepherds arriving to witness the birth of Jesus. The painting features a unique perspective, with Mary kneeling in prayer, her red gown and blue cloak a striking contrast against the wooden shelter. An angel appears to a shepherd, guiding him toward the scene with a gesture, while other shepherds approach from the right, their figures receding into the landscape. The detailed depiction of the rustic setting with its stone structures and a donkey in the foreground reflects Crivelli's meticulous style, characteristic of the Venetian Renaissance. This artwork, while adhering to a religious theme, demonstrates Crivelli's individual artistic voice and the artistic trends of the time.